Archive for January, 2011

Casual Friday.

Friday, January 28th, 2011

This week has been a really busy one for me! I have lots of new things in the works and will be sharing them with you (slowly) in the next couple weeks. And, no, that isn’t meant to be some big teaser, I’m not up to anything crazy!

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One of the most important things I learned from Making Things Happen is to make goals, to-do lists, etc. all manageable. I have been trying to only make daily to-do lists that are 5 items long, since my really long list can be overwhelming. Well, this week the sweet Emily Ley shared a free download of a beautiful to-do list she designed. I’ve been using them all week and think they are perfect for brides to use, too!

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Matchbook magazine wrote an awesome article, “50 Classics for  your Closet.” and it was so much fun to look at. It includes so many awesome items: a straw hat, faux pearls, a trench coat and 47 others! Check it out online, page 38. By the way, this magazine is brand new and I am totally in love!

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While perusing the blog of downtown’s Miss Ruby boutique, I discovered they have just gotten in an absolutely adorable Steven Birnbaum gown. Curious? Check it out on their blog and let me know what you think… I promise it’s like nothing you’ve seen before!

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One of my biggest projects recently is finding some fun and unique Milwaukee weddings to feature on The Milwaukee Wedding Boutique. If you got married recently and want to share your wedding with other Brew City brides, send an email to info@thewedboutique.com and we can fill you in on the details.

Enjoy your weekend!

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Why My Advice Is Better Than The Knot’s.

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

I realize this post is bold and you know what, I’m okay with that. I often censor what I write on my blog out of fear of what people might think but today, I’m taking a little stand.

I know the drill. A bride is gifted a beautiful ring, she calls her best friend to share the news, and then immediately she becomes a Knottie. Why? I was never a Knottie but I am going to assume here that most sign-up for the free advice and inspiration from fellow brides.

Alright, I’ll give The Knot some credit, they do offer some great advice and inspiration, but then again sometimes not, and I know that wedding planning can be overwhelming and some find it a great place to start to find vendors. Here’s a secret you might not know, vendors who are listed in their directory are advertisers. They aren’t  necessarily the elite wedding professionals of Milwaukee… remember they pay for that listing. Now, before I get a ton of hate email and death threats, there are many really awesome vendors that advertise on The Knot (some of my favorites in-fact!) but unfortunately you have to sift through the bad ones to find the good. Just a warning.

And, now, those community boards. Please remember that the brides who are offering up advice and vendor referrals aren’t married yet. Just because they hired someone and enjoy their personality doesn’t mean they are going to produce a stellar product or service. Just do your research and don’t rely solely on other brides, please.

Finally, here is my point. There is value in seeking the advice of a professional. We’ve worked with many different professionals and are happy to share our experience with you. Not only can we share our experiences but we can also save you some time. You don’t have to sift through a million threads to get an answer and I can also suggest vendors according to your budget, something most brides can’t do.

For the recond, I am happy to (complimentary) hand out vendor referrals. No, I don’t get a kickback. I simply want your day to be as awesome as it can be and truly, that starts with hiring the right vendors. Please, if you need a recommendation just send me an email. It’s FREE!!

P.S. If you’re a Knottie reading, I in no way intend to discredit you. You all offer great support to each other in dealing with wedding day woes and stress and I think that’s really awesome. I simply am reminding you to not believe everything you read.

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Posted in Advice | 3 Comments »

Casual Friday.

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Oops, it is Friday, isn’t it? Sorry for abandoning you this week! If you really missed me you can check out my posts on The Milwaukee Wedding Boutique.

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I’ve been fighting a nasty cold this week so I had a little time to catch up on the TV shows that I love. Biggest Loser, being one of them. Has anyone tried Jillian Michael’s 30-day Shred? I consider myself a little bit of a fitness junkie but have never gotten over my love for Tony Horton to try any of Jillian’s videos. I am wondering if she really kicks your butt or if she’s all talk.

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You have to check out this modern elopement feature courtesy of one of my favorite blogs, Ruffled. I am so in love with that dress and it makes me wish I chose a little more bold option for my own gown.

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Most people know that I am not a huge football fan. I am certainly excited the Packers are doing well, I am a Wisconsinite after all, but saying that I don’t care about the outcome of Sunday’s game would certainly be a fact. Anyway, my point is that there is so much buzz about this game that it’s driving me insane. I really wish I could sleep through the next 3 days so I didn’t have to hear the song, “Fly Like a Cheesehead,” a million times over.

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I have been perusing the new collections from many of my favorite designers and I think I have found my absolute favorite dress for a spring or early summer wedding. Curious? Check it out! I am thinking of heading over to Miss Ruby to try it on and perhaps buy one just for fun.

Go Pack! (hehe!)

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Casual Friday.

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Can you believe another week of 2011 has come and gone? Seriously, I am still adjusting.

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This week I discovered the coolest save-the-date ever. Yes, EVER! I love it so much that I wish I would have thought of it for our wedding. Click here to see for yourself.

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As I was cooking dinner on Monday night, Stylist decided he needed to run an errand. A very secret errand. This errand included buying me a book that I have been really excited about, Encyclopedia of the Exquisite. The book is so inspiring as it describes the true beauty in everyday things and really reminds me to appreciate the little things in life. The book explains the history of things like lingerie, champagne, and even Louis XIV’s love of the Bartlett pear. It’s a must read… or maybe more like browse.

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I am sure this is old news to anyone who has Facebook, but there has been an additional zodiac sign added,meaning most people’s sign that they’ve known all their life has changed. Mine however, did not change. I don’t read my horoscope very often but I also don’t deal with unexpected change well. Someone was looking out for me.

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If you’re a bride in Milwaukee, remember to visit The Milwaukee Wedding Boutique for awesome inspiration and advice for planning your wedding. As if the blog wasn’t cool enough on it’s own, I also contribute to it at least once a week. Now I know that had to have caught your attention!

Happy Weekend!

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Magazine Worthy Dresses on a Budget.

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Has anyone else ever noticed that when you pick up a wedding magazine the cover is almost always accessorized with some big-name, higher price-tag wedding dress? I noticed this recently when browsing a local wedding publication and began thinking. I understand the cover of a wedding magazine needs to be eye-catching and beautiful, but do they all have to showcase Monique Lhuillier? Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved (that’s an understatement) to wear a Monique on my wedding day but it just wasn’t realistic. So, why let brides fall in love with a dress on the cover that they may not be able to afford with their entire wedding day budget?

Anyway, I wanted to show you that you can easily have a magazine worthy dress on a lower budget. See for yourself. The dresses below all cost right around or less than $1,000. Aren’t they gorgeous?

{1, 2, 3, 4}

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Posted in Attire | 1 Comment »

Featured | Wisconsin Bride.

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Have you seen the latest issue of Wisconsin Bride? If so, you may or may not have read the article on page 52, entitled Nuptials in Nature, which quotes yours truly.

I was really excited in the fall when I was contacted by Wisconsin Bride to discuss outdoor weddings and share my advice for planning one. I was also excited to hear that images from a client’s wedding would also be featured in the article. Mimi and Jim held their ceremony and luncheon at Lake Park Bistro and then ventured to Mimi’s parents home in Oconomowoc for an evening reception on the lake. The reception was beautiful and guests really enjoyed themselves, but the planning didn’t necessarily come that easily.

The biggest misconception brides have about outdoor wedding is that they follow the same traditional planning guidelines as all other weddings, and that’s definitely not true. As the article mentions, there are so many other things to think of when planning an outdoor wedding and couples who are considering one need to realize they are responsible for all aspects. Whether this means hiring someone to take care of it or doing it yourself. You can’t just throw up a tent.

Thanks to Wisconsin Bride for the mention!

P.S. You can take a peek, at the top of page 8, at the invitation suite that Tara of Cracked Designs created for Stylist and I. Our stationery was awesome and one of my favorite elements from our wedding.

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Casual Friday.

Friday, January 7th, 2011

Can you believe it, the first week of 2011 is almost over. I find myself still writing the old year and feeling a little thrown off from the holiday catch up, but overall, it was a great week.

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Stylist and I have once again taken up the sport of rock climbing. We have a gym near us that we have belonged to in the past but with the busy spring and summer months, we didn’t have much time to get there. But, we’ve renewed our membership and it feels awesome. We are only 2 days in and my forearms and fingertips are already killing me. If you’re a climber too, I’m only climbing 5.6 – 5.7 routes but I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

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My younger sister celebrated her 18th birthday this week. I would have loved to dedicate an entire post to her but I have a feeling it would have greatly resembled last year’s.

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A new friend of mine, Amber, introduced me to Nan Lawson, an incredible artist and illustrator. Her etsy shop is really fun and filled with some cute and quirky art.

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I really thought that Style Me Pretty couldn’t get, well, anymore stylish, but this week they went and launched an online magazine and totally proved me wrong. The E-Glossy showcases the top weddings of 2010 and is a whole lot of lovely eye candy.

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If you are in the Milwaukee area and looking for something fun to do this weekend, Rummage-A-Rama! is being held at State Fair Park. Find out all of the important information here.

Enjoy your weekend!

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Break Some Wedding Traditions.

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

And, have some fun doing it.

2011 is the year that I hope a ton of wedding traditions are turned upside down and a whole set of new ones are created. Remind yourself every time you sit down (or run around) to plan your wedding that it can be anything you and your fiance want it to be. There aren’t any tradition police and therefore no expectations.

Why don’t you…

Host dinner before the ceremony.

Skip the bridal party, it’s all about you and your Groom.

Salsa for your first dance.

Wear a colored or patterned wedding dress.

Ask your parents, best friend, or sibling to write your vows. They know you best.

Hand deliver your invitations.

Host a restaurant-style dinner. Create a shortened menu and let guests order at the table.

Dress your maids in white.

Get married in the morning. The light will be gorgeous.

… I could go on and on. Any you would like to add?

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Posted in Just for fun | 1 Comment »

For the New Brides in Town.

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

With engagement season upon us and new brides popping up almost every second, I thought it was appropriate to rewind and share some previous posts that will help you get started with your planning process. If you aren’t a new reader, don’t worry, I have fresh new content for you this week!

You’re Engaged, Now What?

Be Prepared For Your Initial Consulations

Choosing the Right Vendors.

Ditch the Pre-Made Timelines.

For Grooms Only.

Enjoy your engagement!

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